Macrobiotic Diet Helps Balance Your Diet and Your Life

Macrobiotics devotees believe that food, and food quality, affects
our lives more than is commonly thought. It is thought to affect
our health, well being and happiness. They focus on moving away
from processed foods, and moving toward more natural and more
traditional methods of food preparation. They claim it is better to
choose food that is less processed, more natural, use more
traditional methods of food preparation for themselves and their
family.

Macrobiotics emphasize locally-grown, organically-grown whole grain
cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruit, seaweed and fermented soy
products, combined into meals according to the principle of balance
between yin and yang properties, rather than scientific dietary
guidelines. Macrobiotic diets follow the idea of Yin and Yang.
Cereals, fruit, beans, nuts and vegetables, and rice make up the
main part of the diet and are considered neutral and are naturally
balanced in terms of Yin and Yang. Foods which are either extremely
Yin in nature or extremely Yang in nature are eaten very rarely if
at all. Very Yin products include coffee, tropical fruit, sugar,
soft dairy products, vegetables, alcohol and honey. Very Yang
products include poultry, meat, firm dairy products like hard
cheeses, and eggs.

The macrobiotic diet is high in natural, unprocessed foods, complex
carbohydrates, and vegetables. It is low in saturated fats, whilst
providing the essential fats. Food should be organically grown and
eaten fresh. The Macrobiotic lifestyle also governs how food should
be prepared. No microwave should be used - rice must be cooked in a
pressure cooker. Food should be eaten and chewed slowly, in a
relaxed manner.

Low-fat high-fiber diets are also believed to play a role in
preventing some types of cancer. And the macrobiotic emphasis on
fresh, non-processed foods may be beneficial to those dealing with
certain food allergies and chemical sensitivities. Followers assert
that the balance and harmony of the macrobiotic diet and lifestyle
create the best possible conditions for health. They claim that the
diet yields many positive health effects, including a general sense
of well-being, and some studies actually show that people on the
diet have a decreased risk of heart disease and some forms of
cancer.